Nicolas Batum
Speaking of replacements, few would be able to duplicate Manu Ginobili’s style of play quite like Charlotte Hornets shooting guard Nicolas Batum.
In his first season in Charlotte, Batum was involved in every facet of the game, averaging 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists per contest. Despite not necessarily being an essential scoring threat, Batum shot at efficient shooting splits of .426/.348/.849.
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All of these statistics translate well to the role that the Spurs are used to having aging veteran Manu Ginobili fill as a facilitator and scoring threat coming off of the bench.
Batum would be a solid match with a bench unit that thrives on crisp ball movement and working for the best shot. He could also step into the starting lineup and provide the tertiary scoring option and the outside shooting that made Ginobili a pertinent player in San Antonio for so long.
He’s an unselfish player with the ability to do any and everything on the basketball court, which is the ideal Popovich player.
Adding Batum to a solid bench unit with Mills, Kyle Anderson, Boban Marjanovic and David West would help the Spurs continue to give opponents fits long after the starting rotation goes to the bench.
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